5 Greatest hardcourt players of all time

Modified Jan 24, 2019 14:06 GMT

1. Novak Djokovic

At his best, Novak Djokovic is almost like a machine playing tennis, and his relentless accuracy and seemingly tireless court-coverage have made him the greatest hardcourt player of all time. Djokovic also possesses the finest groundstrokes of all time and is almost invincible in a baseline slugfest on this surface.

Djokovic has a great return of serve and a wonderful backhand, but can also be effective while going to the net. He is supremely fast and can dismantle his opponents with his fierce strokeplay and great slides.

Djokovic has won 9 of his 14 career Grand Slams on hardcourts, and looks good for even more. He has reached the semifinal of the ongoing Australian Open, and could add yet another Slam to his enviable collection of trophies.

Djokovic has a superior head-to-head record against both his arch-rivals, Federer and Nadal, and an 85% winning ratio on hardcourts. He beat Nadal in an epic four-setter in the final of the 2011 US Open and also won the 2018 US Open by beating Juan Martin Del Potro quite comfortably.

Djokovic has also won 32 Masters titles in his career, most of which were played on hardcourts.

About the author

Subhadeep, an adept tennis journalist at Sportskeeda, has been writing about the sport for seven years. He is known for his exclusive match reviews and opinion pieces, utilizing his MBA degree to tackle them effectively with his problem-solving abilities.

Subhadeep lives and breathes tennis. He watches matches regularly and engages in social media platforms to stay on top of the latest happenings. As a writer, he brings the fan's perspective to his pieces, ensuring his readers enjoy an exceptional experience every time.

Growing up, he idolized Boris Becker, but he now firmly believes Novak Djokovic stands alone as the 'Greatest of all Time', especially considering the 24-time Grand Slam champion's incredible stats. One thing that still puzzles Subhadeep, however, is how Becker's Wimbledon tally might have reached five if not for Pete Sampras.

Speaking of the All England Club, the British Major holds a special place in his heart as he admires its blend of tradition and grass-court excellence. When not working for Sportskeeda, Subhadeep delves into the other "love of his life": football, and enjoys contributing his insights to different websites dedicated to the sport.

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Edited by Musab Abid